Eco-friendly commuter shuttle, theconnector,' introduced in King of Prussia

Eric Goldstein, Executive Director of King of Prussia District, use a large pair of scissors during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Connector busses in Upper Merion July 9, 2013. The busses will transport employees from participating King of Prussia businesses from The Norristown Transportation Center and the Wayne Train Station for a minimal cast. Photo by Gene Walsh / Times Herald Staff

UPPER MERION — For employees of the King of Prussia business park, a commute to work just became more environmentally-friendly.

The King of Prussia District, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the area’s economic environment, held the ribbon cutting ceremony for theconnector on July 9 in the courtyard of the Meschellmac Office Complex. Theconnector is a commuter shuttle that provides transportation between the King of Prussia business park and two local train stations.

“This project will reduce cars on the road by 500 each day,” Barry Seymour, executive director of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), said. “It will also reduce traffic congestion by 8,000 miles every day.”

The shuttle project was partially funded by a three-year, $500,000 Congestion, Mitigation and Air Quality grant. The grant was sponsored by the DVRPC.

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Additional revenue to fund the project is provided by advertisement profits, ticket sales, and the support of local companies participating in the project.

The funds raised have helped to purchase four, 14-passenger shuttle buses equipped with free Wi-Fi and bicycle racks. All buses are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The buses operate during peak rush hour times in the morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday. They travel between the Norristown Transportation Center, Wayne Station, and over 25 stops within the business park. A complete shuttle schedule is available at connectkop.com.

By offering an alternative mode of transportation to employees, the King of Prussia District is hoping to support the area both environmentally and economically.

“When you look at the future, you have to be cognizant that it might not be dominated by cars,” Rob Henry, executive director of the transportation system’s management firm, GVF, said. “By creating theconnector, we’re helping to improve the behaviors of employees.”

According to the American Public Transportation Association, households that use public transportation save $10,000 per year.

Six companies in the business park are participating in the shuttle service. For employees of Arkema, Brandywine Realty Trust, GSI Commerce, Mim-Hayden Real Estate Funds, Keystone Property Group and Liberty Property Trust, the cost of the shuttle is $1 per ride. For all other riders, the cost is $2.

Theconnector was launched on June 17, 2013. Brooke Hersh, the King of Prussia District’s marketing coordinator, said that “ridership has increased every week” and that they have had “a lot of positive feedback.”

“This is something that we believe that King of Prussia desperately needs,” Eric Goldstein, executive director of King of Prussia District, said. “But this is not the end of where we want to go with King of Prussia transportation. This is just the beginning.”